Jharkhand doctor, home guard jawan booked over alleged extortion for fitness certificates

Hazaribag: A doctor and a Home Guard jawan have been booked in Jharkhand's Chatra district for allegedly demanding money from newly selected Home Guard recruits in exchange for medical fitness certificates.

The allegations surfaced after candidates claimed they were asked to pay money during the ongoing recruitment medical examination.

According to reports, an FIR was registered at Chatra Sadar police station on Wednesday following directions from the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the chairman of the Home Guard Recruitment Committee. The complaint was filed by Kanhachatti circle officer-cum-in charge BDO of Chatra Sadar Block.

The accused have been booked under provisions relating to extortion, cheating and criminal conspiracy, along with sections concerning preparation of false documents by a public servant and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. 

The medical examination and document verification of newly selected Home Guard recruits began on July 25 at the District Commandant, Home Guard office in Chatra. The process is scheduled to continue until August 12.  

The case followed repeated complaints from candidates who alleged that they were being asked to pay money for medical fitness certificates. The reported demands ranged from Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000, while some candidates also alleged that amounts of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh were sought to declare them medically fit. Officials clarified that the higher-value allegations have not yet been verified and will be examined during the investigation. 

Gope said, “Questioning of candidates and the preliminary probe revealed the prima facie involvement of the doctor and Home Guard jawan, leading to registration of the FIR”, reports TOI.

The authorities are now investigating the allegations and examining the role of the accused in the recruitment medical examination process. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the probe.